Source: Sony's next-generation SmartWatch will include NFC

An image of Sony's current SmartWatch. What would you change?
Sony Mobile

Sony's rumored next-generation SmartWatch is real, and it will offer some notable feature upgrades to the company's current wearable tech offering, a source has confirmed to CNET.

The news of a new SmartWatch is not surprising, given that Sony's Xperia Twitter account has all but confirmed a wristwatch-related announcement at next week's Mobile Asia Expo 2013 trade show that runs from June 26 to 28. The new model will be a successor to the Sony SmartWatch MN2SW, which is currently available for around $100.

But our source -- who has provided accurate information on unannounced Sony products in the past -- has indicated some specific features said to be available on the new watch.

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According to the source, the new SmartWatch will feature a larger screen than the current version, and will be minimally water-resistant. It will run a version of Android (as the current version does), will feature a capacitive touch screen, and is said to have a three-icon layout below the screen (similar to Xperia smartphones). Furthermore, the source also stated that the watch comes equipped with NFC for easy one-touch pairing with a smartphone -- a connection it would maintain via Bluetooth.

CNET has contacted Sony for comment and will update this post if we hear back.